As
a classical martial art the essence of Goju Ryu is contained
within it's kata. With the correct keys it is possible to unlock
and perceive the strategies, methods, principles and techniques
that are embodied in these living encyclopedias. The key is
investigating and testing how to apply the kata. It is necessary
to think deeply how, when and where the fighting methods can
and equally important, can't be used.

It could be said that there are two phases, that of Controlling
and of Combating. You must use the methods of control before
the techniques of combat, otherwise you will be unable apply
the way of kata to defeat them.

The controlling methods:Spirit (Ki) - Intention, concentration and discipline.
In Japan this referred to as Ki. These qualities are fundamental
to the pursuit of this school's teaching. Children benefit from
these especially as they learn self respect and help instill
a positive image of themselves.

Attitude (Kamae) - To assume the appropriate physical
and mental combative posture that is determined by the opponents
own posture, body language and intent.

Entering
(Irimi) - How to approach and engage the opponent safely across
the distance separating you, this is the space that we control
to defeat the opponent.

Receiving (Uke) - First to accept the enemies attack. Commonly
referred to as blocking when taught at the children's level. The
force is met, redirected, harnessed and absorbed by the use of
correct body mechanics.

Rooting - Is the natural use of gravity whereby a triangulation
of force is made between the feet and the centred belly (hara).

Pressing
- Having received the opponent and rooted, force is then redirected
back into the attacker limbs or torso. Stances are used to change
the vectors of force both to whist stand and repel an invader.

Sticking
(Muchimi) - By extending and maintaining the direction of
pressing through the attackers limbs/body into their centre line,
we can maintain physical contact with the attacker.

Leading - Float, Sink, Spit and Swallow, the Chinese analogies
of controlling the force and balance of an enemy. Push up, pull
down, push out and pull in combine in limitless combinations lead
the opponent so as to unbalance or collapse them.

Restraining
- The holding methods necessary to position and restrain an
attacker long enough to deliver the combative technique.

The
combative techniques:
Having first contained the enemy using the above stages then comes
the counter attack. This is by the use of one or more of the following
five techniques:

Often three attacks are used, not just one, the first meets the
enemies resistance, the second weakens and the third defeats.
Whilst only one action may be perceived there are always three
phases. For example in this school the punch can make contact
with the fist, then the forearm and then the elbow, although only
one action there are multiple attacks.